2nd Sunday in Advent 2024 - Rhapsody in Blue and the voice in the wilderness

 

For a number of years, on the day after Thanksgiving, I've had the tradition of gathering together with my brother priests for a nice meal and some time together. So last Friday, the day after Thanksgiving this year, a number of us went out for a succulent Chinese meal, and then to a concert at Severance Hall. The Cleveland Orchestra played a number of pieces from American composers Aaron Copeland, Duke Ellington, and George Gershwin. The highlight of the concert for me was certainly Gershwin’s famous “Rhapsody in Blue”.

You may be familiar with this piece as it’s been played in United Airlines commercials since the 1980s. It also began Woody Allen’s famous movie, Manhattan. 

Rhapsody in Blue begins with a lone clarinet, a glissando over two and a half octaves from a rich low g at the bottom of the clarinet’s range to high soaring c. The opening phrase is among the most iconic in all of American concert music and encapsulates the entire spirit of the work: it is simultaneously playful yet ambitious, simple yet sophisticated, and undeniably modern.

In this one opening phrase Gershwin declares the piece’s departure from the staid expectations of European classical music. Instead, it offers a distinctly American voice—one reflective of the thriving jazz clubs of Harlem, the gritty energy of Manhattan, and the confident optimism of a country forging a new cultural identity in the early twentieth century.

Consider that lone clarinet—its single, pure tone emerges out of the silence, then stretches and bends upward in a way that was new, surprising, and full of possibility. It captures not only Gershwin’s vision of a fresh, uniquely American sound, but also something that touches upon our religious experience: the way that God uses prophetic voices, often standing alone, apart from the rest of the noise, to announce something new, transformative, and deeply vital.

In today’s Gospel, we encounter the lone voice of John the Baptist. Like the clarinet in “Rhapsody in Blue,” John stands at the edge of the old and the new, bridging the silence of centuries with a resonant cry that invites humanity into something greater than we’ve ever known. 

John, out in the desert, echoes a familiar theme of the prophets: repentance. Throughout Israel’s history, the call to turn back to God was a constant theme. Repent, turn away from your sinful ways back to God, back to the path of holiness. The prophetic call rouses God’s people out of spiritual slumber to a new reinvigorated and renewed life of faith. And thankfully, God sends us prophets, because he knows how easy it is to fall asleep.

But John’s preaching bridges the old and the new, announcing that God is about to burst onto the scene in a new and unexpected way in the coming of Christ—the in-breaking of the Son of God into human history.

Again, I think of what Gershwin was doing with that clarinet. The clarinet in Gershwin’s piece doesn’t apologize for its boldness; it’s unabashedly confident, and in a sense it’s almost a referendum on the past. With that clarinet, Gershwin is saying that he’s not just going to write music in the same way as Europe has always done it. 

Similarly, John the Baptist arrives on the scene and begins boldly proclaiming that God is about to do something new. And he sort of sets the stage for a key theme in the preaching and teaching and miracles of Our Lord himself. Throughout the Gospels, Jesus often breaks with certain conventions, not because he is some hippy radical who just wants to tear down the old, but because he wants to usher in something profoundly holy, so all people, of all places, and all times may encounter God.

But we must be willing to change, to leave behind those ideas, behaviors, and attitudes that hinder us from growing in our relationship with God. The Lord is constantly condemning the Pharisees in the Gospel due to their unwillingness to set aside their way of doing things. But the old must give way to the new, and the world must give way to heaven, the flesh must give way to the Spirit.

Like John, like our Lord, the Christian is often required to do things differently than the rest of the world. Like I said last week, we must prepare for Christmas not simply in the way the world teaches us to do so, but according to divine wisdom, the wisdom of the saints, the wisdom of the Word of God.

Like Gershwin’s clarinet, like John’s voice in the wilderness, the Christian vocation is to rise above the noise of our world and give witness to something greater, something that transforms lives: the truth of God’s love. 

But also, like Gershwin’s clarinet invites the audience to lean in and listen more closely, Christians are to live our faith in such a way that others are drawn to its beauty and vitality. Sometimes this means speaking a challenging word, calling out injustices and sins in our lives and our communities. Sometimes it means daring to be hopeful in the midst of cynicism, to be loving in the midst of hate, to be joyful even as the world groans. Sometimes it means reaching out to someone the rest of society treats as unlovable, untouchable, with gentleness, compassion, and genuine aid.

We, who are preparing for the Lord’s coming, have such a privileged vocation—announcing that Christ is near, that mercy and forgiveness are possible, and that God offers us an opportunity to live a new life—one shaped by God’s grace. 

Again, I invite you, to really get into the Advent spirit, we need to be attentive to the Word of God. Don’t let a day go by without spending time with the scriptures, particularly the Advent scriptures. If you want the music of God to resonate in your life, if you want your life to be guided by his wisdom, if you want your life to be filled with God’s gifts, you must open yourself and attune yourself every day through scripture, through prayer, through good works, and repentance, sincere repentance.

Make a good Sacramental Confession this Advent, to identify and amend the dissonant notes, the willfulness that so often disrupts the flow of God’s grace.

As we repent and prepare, may our hearts become tuned to the key of divine love, so that the world may hear in us a beautiful, unmistakable invitation: The Lord is coming. Let us make ready our hearts and sing His praise, for the glory of God and the salvation of souls.

3rd Week of Advent 2022 - Friday - A burning and shining lamp

 Tomorrow, December 17, begins what is often called “Late Advent” or “Deep Advent”; the Scripture readings and orations begin to take on slightly different tones and themes. Where the first part of Advent proclaims joyfully that the Christ is coming, this last part of Advent begins to focus on who is coming, the identity of the Christ child. 

The O Antiphons of “Late Advent”, for example, each ascribe Old Testament names and titles to the one who is born on Christmas Day. Jesus is the fulfillment of all of those Old Testament prophesies: He is the Rod of Jesse, He is the Key of David, He is the Rising Star from the East, He is Adonai in the Flesh, He is Emmanuel—God With Us. These ancient prayers of the Church show how the Old Testament pointed forward to Jesus; how God prepared the human race for His own coming in the flesh.

In the same vein, John the Baptist is a lot like those O Antiphons. He dresses and acts and speaks like a prophet from the Old Testament speaking about the one who is to come. He helps Israel transition from the shadows of prophecy to the reality of God-in-the-flesh.

Because John witnessed to the truth of his identity, Jesus called John in the Gospel today “a burning and shining lamp”. Could he say the same about us? We are to be lamps, spotlights, the point others to Jesus.

Isaiah gives us wonderful instructions in the first reading for becoming burning lamps for Christ: “observe what is right, do what is just”. 

Observing what is right, doing what is just, performing good deeds, engaging in acts of mercy, these works are not for the purpose of gaining honor for ourselves, but to point to the one who has set us on our way. 

The Lord Jesus himself urges us that our choices can point others to God. He says, “Thus let your light shine before men, so that they may see your good works and they should glorify your Father in the heavens.”

As the light of the sun is seen less and less during these late December days, let us shine forth with the light of the Son of God by praying a little harder, giving a little more, striving to walk in the ways of righteousness and justice for the glory of God and salvation of souls.

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We raise up our prayers of petition, as we await with longing the Advent of Christ the Lord.

That Advent repentance and good works may prepare us rightly for Christmas joy.

That our president and all civil servants will carry out their duties with justice, honesty, and respect for the dignity of every human life.  

That all those who wander in the darkness of error, far from the Gospel of Christ, may be led through the preaching and example of the Christian people to the fullness of the light of faith. 

That Christ may heal every disease, drive out hunger, ward off every affliction, and bring peace to the suffering.

For all who have died, and for all the poor souls in purgatory, and for X. for whom this Mass is offered.

Almighty ever-living God, who brings salvation to all and desire that no one should perish, hear the prayers of your people and grant that the course of our world may be directed by your peaceful rule and your Church rejoice in tranquility and devotion. Through Christ our Lord.

2nd Week of Advent 2022 (EF) - Ferial Day - John the Baptist: the Precursor Domini

Each year on the second and the third Sunday of Advent, the lectionaries of both the extraordinary and ordinary form of the Roman Rite always focus on the figure of the precursor Domini, the forerunner of the Lord, St. John the Baptist.

John’s work was to prepare the way for the Messiah—pointing to the Messiah even while still in the womb. John did so again at the Jordan river when he proclaimed  “Behold the Lamb of God, who takes away the sins of the world!” 

In today’s Gospel, John send disciples who were still clinging to him when he was imprisoned to go to Jesus. 

But John’s work wasn’t merely to point out Jesus. The Lord himself stresses in the Gospel how John was the fulfillment of the ancient prophecy, the voice of One crying out in the desert: Prepare the way of the Lord, make straight his paths. John called sinners to prepare their hearts to be able to recognize the Messiah for themselves when he came, to be able to welcome Him as Lord, as Savior, as the joy of our hearts, and to follow him, to decrease that he may increase in us. 

John’s was a call to conversion, something each of us are to take to heart every Advent. Perhaps that is conversion from sin that has taken root in our hearts over the past year. Perhaps that is a conversion from superficial discipleship—keeping the Lord at a distance, instead of welcoming him into every dimension of life. Perhaps the conversion we need is be more intentional in acts of charity, in prayer, in ordering our time to keep God at the center of our day, to better control our tongues in our conversations with acquaintances or strangers or political enemies. 

For some Catholics these days, the call to repentance and conversion is treated as “bad news”, met with scowls and hard hearts. They take offense at the very word on the lips of both John the Baptist and the Savior—repent, convert. But blessed are those who take no offense at him, for repentance and conversion are always precursors to grace and fruitfulness and authentic joy.

Back in the jubilee of 2000, the future Pope Benedict XVI spoke to a group of Catechists about John the Baptist and the call to conversion. He said, “The fundamental content of the Old Testament is summarized in the message by John the Baptist: metanoete – Convert! There is no access to Jesus without the Baptist; there is no possibility of reaching Jesus without answering the call of the precursor. Rather, Jesus took up the message of John in the synthesis of His own preaching: [repent and believe]. The Greek word for converting means: to rethink; to question one’s own and common way of living; to allow God to enter into the criteria of one’s life; to judge not merely according to the current opinions. So to convert means not to live as all the others live, not to do what all do, not to feel justified in dubious, ambiguous, evil actions just because others do the same. It means to begin to see one’s life through the eyes of God, and so to look for the good, even if uncomfortable, not aiming at the judgment of the majority, of men, but at the justice of God. In other words, [to convert means] to look for a new style of life, a new life.”

Blessed are those who take no offense at him. Blessed even more are those who believe in him, love him, prepare the way for him, cling to him, follow him, and spread the good news about Him for the glory of God and salvation of souls.

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EF READINGS:

 A reading from the Epistle of St. Paul to the Romans

Brethren, For whatever was written previously was written for our instruction, that by endurance and by the encouragement of the scriptures we might have hope. May the God of endurance and encouragement grant you to think in harmony with one another, in keeping with Christ Jesus, that with one accord you may with one voice glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. Welcome one another, then, as Christ welcomed you, for the glory of God. For I say that Christ became a minister of the circumcised to show God’s truthfulness, to confirm the promises to the patriarchs, but so that the Gentiles might glorify God for his mercy. As it is written: “Therefore, I will praise you among the Gentiles and sing praises to your name.” And again it says: “Rejoice, O Gentiles, with his people.” And again: “Praise the Lord, all you Gentiles, and let all the peoples praise him.” And again Isaiah says: “The root of Jesse shall come, raised up to rule the Gentiles; in him shall the Gentiles hope.” May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that you may abound in hope by the power of the holy Spirit.

A continuation of the Holy Gospel according to St. Matthew

At that time, when John heard in prison of the works of the Messiah, he sent his disciples to him with this question, “Are you the one who is to come, or should we look for another?” Jesus said to them in reply, “Go and tell John what you hear and see: the blind regain their sight, the lame walk, lepers are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the poor have the good news proclaimed to them. And blessed is the one who takes no offense at me.” As they were going off, Jesus began to speak to the crowds about John, “What did you go out to the desert to see? A reed swayed by the wind? Then what did you go out to see? Someone dressed in fine clothing? Those who wear fine clothing are in royal palaces. Then why did you go out? To see a prophet? Yes, I tell you, and more than a prophet. This is the one about whom it is written: ‘Behold, I am sending my messenger ahead of you; he will prepare your way before you.

 

First Friday Holy Hour - February 2022 - The truth that conquers lust

 This morning at mass I reflected upon how today’s Gospel helps us to understand that as disciples of the Lord, we, like John the Baptist will experience hostility when we stand for Truth.

John the Baptist was hated by Herodias for speaking the Truth about her adulterous conduct with King Herod. “It is not lawful for you to have your brother’s wife” he told the King. 

For speaking the truth, the Baptist’s life, like Our Lord’s culminated, in a violent death: for speaking the Truth of God, John was beheaded.

Herodias did not want to hear the truth, so she did everything in her power to silence it. John was silenced for challenging Herodias’ lust for flesh, foreshadowing how Jesus would by silenced by the scribes, chief priests, and pharisees, for challenging their lust for power. 

Nothing incurs some people’s wrath like speaking the truth about their lusts. They do not want to even acknowledge the possibility that their life has become bent on something disordered, something harmful to their souls, to their families, to society. But the Truth of the Gospel helps us to unravel the lies of our life, in order to live more fully for God.

Here in the Lord’s Eucharistic presence, in the silence, we ask him to speak to our hearts. Our lives are so frenetic, but this time of silence with the Lord, will help us to quiet down in order to hear him. Anything True that the Lord wants to tell us, any truth that he wants to communicate to us, we need to open our hearts and our minds to. For the Lord desires our greatest good, he desires what will make us eternally happy in heaven. 

We can be sure that he will tell us nothing that will contradict God’s laws, but what he has to say will help us to follow them more faithfully. Speak O Lord your servants are listening, you have the words of everlasting life. 

May our time with the Lord open our hearts and minds to his truth, and help us to communicate that truth with patience, boldness, conviction, courage, and clarity. May we hear the words he longs to speak to us, the words we long to hear, that we need to hear, for the glory of God and salvation of souls.

2nd Sunday of Advent 2021 - "Take off your robe of mourning and misery"

 

It was the worst of times….and the worst of times…During the most disastrous time in Israel’s history, the time of the Babylonian exile, lived the author of today’s first reading: the prophet Baruch.  The armies of the Babylonians had swept through Judea, killing many, laying siege to Jerusalem and destroying the city, burning the temple to the ground, and carrying-off the elite of the nation into slavery.  

Think of how horrific this must have been.  The chosen people, living in the heart of the kingdom, David’s city, and watching the temple built by Solomon be destroyed.  The Temple was supposed to be the spiritual center where one day all people of the world would come to worship in harmony.  Jerusalem is sacked, the nation destroyed, the temple burnt to the ground, priests and civic leaders carried away.  Think of something like the United States being conquered, Washington DC being destroyed, the capital and the white house burnt, our government leaders taken into slavery AND our churches demolished and priests and bishops arrested and taken away.  That is the background for the first reading today.  It seemed to the Israelites as if God had abandoned his people.

And what was the prophet Baruch’s message? Standing in the rubble of Jerusalem, the prophet says, don't be sad. “Jerusalem, take off your robe of mourning and misery; and look to the east.”  Why the east?  The east is the direction of the rising sun. 

So Baruch is saying don’t mourn. It looks dark right now.  But you will see God arise and set captives free, establishing justice, restoring the glory of Israel. 

And that theme of hope recurs over and over in the Old Testament: that in life’s darkest moments, when things look bleakest, we must trust that God has not abandoned us, that he will ultimately fulfill his promises to deliver us from evil. 

Just about 50 years after Baruch’s prophecies, in the year 538 BC, the Babylonians fell to the Persians, and the Persian King Cyrus freed the exiles, and allowed the Jews to return to Jerusalem and rebuild the temple.

Now fast forward, five hundred years. It was the fifteenth year of the reign of Tiberius Caesar,

when Pontius Pilate was governor of Judea, and Herod was tetrarch of Galilee, during the high priesthood of Annas and Caiaphas.

Again, another dark time in Israel’s history.  Tiberius Caesar the successor of Caesar Augustus was a ruthless dictator—oppressive, violent, capricious.  Pontius Pilate, a name we know pretty well was Tiberius’ equally ruthless and violent local representative in Judea.  Governor Pilate was only too willing to crucify Jews by the thousands; he raised the Roman insignia in the Temple, which was blasphemous.  Herod, the tetrarch of Galilee, and Philip his brother, were fearsome, hateful, ruthless, collaborators with the Roman Government. 

Annas and Caiaphas the Jewish high priests, as leaders of God’s flock were supposed to be men of righteousness, but they used their religious power for political gain, and instead of conducting the worship of the Temple in righteousness according to God’s commandments, they had allowed corruption to sink into Temple life.

St Luke sets the stage—he calls to mind this corrupt and vicious hierarchy which governed political and religious life in the first century.  And after describing these dark circumstances, Saint Luke tells us that God made his instrument not one of these high and mighty men. God used as his instrument this nobody, John, in the desert.  Not a mighty ruler, but a man eating locusts in the desert.  

And John’s message?  God is about to act again.  To all of you who are oppressed, beaten down, hoping, waiting, tired of the violence, the corruption, and the suffering: 

"Prepare the way of the Lord, make straight his paths. Every valley shall be filled and every mountain and hill shall be made low. The winding roads shall be made straight, and the rough ways made smooth, and all flesh shall see the salvation of God."

A change is coming, a revolution is on its way.  The destruction of the old oppressive powers is at hand.  God is about to act. So, “Prepare, ye, the way of the Lord.”

How are the people to prepare?  John called them to a baptism of water and repentance.  A baptism of water in the river Jordan, calling to mind the passing through the waters of the Red Sea, when God led the Israelites out of slavery in Egypt.  God is going to free you, just as he freed the Israelites from slavery, leading them into a promised land. 

And John called them to repentance. The word he uses for repentance is metanoia, the greek word, that meant to change your mind, change your heart, change your attitude, change your behavior, so that it is in keeping with the God’s commandments. You can’t and won’t be prepared for God to break into your life without repentance.

The world of Tiberius Caesar, the oppression of Pilate, the religious malaise of Annas and Caiaphas had stunted their hopes, and the chosen people had fallen into mediocrity.  And John was saying, get your hearts and minds ready, because God is about to act, the in breaking of the kingdom of God in your midst.  

During Advent we consider how God has already begun such good work in us, bringing us goodness, freedom, and peace, but also how God, as St. Paul said in the Epistle, wants to bring that good work to completion. He wants to strengthen us in virtue, he wants to drive out hopelessness, he wants to conquer addiction, he wants to transform selfishness into Christ-like self-donation. But we have to do our part. “Prepare the way of the Lord” requires some work on our part. 

If you can’t identify some crooked aspects of your life that need to be made straight, look again. If you can’t identify some valleys of selfishness that need to be filled in with generosity, look again. If you can’t identify some rough parts of your personality that need to be smoothed over, look again.  

If God can break into history in the dark time of Caesar, Pilate, Herod, Caiaphas and Annas, he can break into our lives. The Gospel, however, exposes these men to be on the wrong side of history, for they rejected Christ when he came. But that doesn’t mean we have to be.

May we prepare the way for the Lord to come more deeply into our lives, by repenting as John tells us, by renewing our hope in Christ by taking God’s promises to heart, that the good work God has begun in us may be brought to completion, for the glory of God and salvation of souls.

February 05 2021 - St. Agatha - Chastity and Martyrdom

 Saint Agatha is one of the great virgin martyrs honored by the early Roman church. She was martyred in the brief but ferocious persecution of the emperor Decius, whose own reign lasted only two years, 249 to 251. Prior to Decius, much of the persecution, was local and sporadic throughout the empire, even with periods of general tolerance toward Christians. 

But, in 250 AD, Decius issued an imperial decree requiring all citizens of the empire to offer a sacrifice to the Roman Gods, renounce the Christian faith in front of a Roman official and obtain a certificate called a libellus proving they had done so. Many Christians publicly rejected their faith by offering the sacrifice; some bribed the public official to obtain the libellus.  

Saint Agatha was a beautiful Sicilian woman who had consecrated herself to Christ—to be His bride—to spend her life in his prayerful service and consecrated virginity.

When she refused the romantic advances of a pagan man, he turned her into the authorities. Since she would not offer the pagan sacrifice, she was imprisoned, tortured, and eventually killed. The popular legend states that her gruesome torture involved the cutting off of her breasts. St. Peter is said to have appeared to her and healed her wounds. She was then put over hot coals and roasted, but an earthquake saved her from the fire. 

For these reasons she is both patron saint of breast diseases and also invoked as a protector from fire, like volcanic eruptions in her native Sicily.

In the Gospel about the beheading of John the Baptist, we see the world’s hatred of the saints is nothing new. For speaking out against the corruption and sexual sins of the royal court of his day, John the Baptist was imprisoned and beheaded. 

Throughout the ages, the Church has been hated for teaching God’s vision for marriage and sexuality and chastity. St. John the Baptist, St. Agnes, St. Anastasia, St. Lucy, St. Charles Lwanga, St. Maria Goretti in our own modern day, were killed for this reason. 

Christians today are surrounded by innumerable pressures to forsake the faith, to make compromises with the world, to embrace errors repugnant to the teachings of Christ. And in this increasingly perverse and degenerate age, it is likely the Church will be increasingly opposed and more ferociously mocked and attacked for teaching the Truth, even from within the ranks of the church, even perhaps by members of the hierarchy. But woe to the faithful if we flee from this task. For the Truth of the Gospel does not change, especially due to the whins of the world. For Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever. So we do well to increase our devotion to the great martyrs, that we may have the courage to witness clearly and teach clearly and embrace the inevitable sufferings that follow, that the power of Christ and the love of God may shine in our lives for the glory of God and salvation of souls.

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For Pope Francis’ prayer intention for the month of February: for women who are victims of violence, that they may be protected by society and have their sufferings considered and heeded. Let us pray to the Lord.

Through the intercession of St. Agatha and the holy virgin-martyrs, for an increase of reverence for the virtues of chastity, purity, and modesty and for greater respect for the dignity of the human body and all human life.

For all the needs of the sick and the suffering, the homebound, those in nursing homes and hospitals, the underemployed and unemployed, immigrants and refugees, victims of natural disaster, war, and terrorism, for all those who grieve the loss of a loved one, and those who will die today, for their comfort, and the consolation of their families.

For all who have died, and for all the poor souls in purgatory, and for X. for whom this Mass is offered.

Incline your merciful ear to our prayers, we ask, O Lord, and listen in kindness to the supplications of those who call on you. Through Christ our Lord

June 24 2020 - Nativity of St. John the Baptist - From muteness to proclamation

John has always had a place of very high esteem, his birthday was celebrated liturgically already in the 4th century. The Baptist therefore has the unique honor of being the only saint in heaven whose birthday is celebrated liturgically alongside of Our Lord and Our Lady. In fact, in the eastern church, his conception is celebrated as well, nine months prior to today, on September 24.

John was praised by the Lord himself, when he said, “I tell you, among those born of women, no one is greater than John”. 

Here at St. Ignatius, the statue of the baptist stands above the entrance to the old baptistry on the east wall of the church. He is dressed on the camel’s hair of the prophet, as he dressed during his ministry of preparing repentant souls for the advent of Christ.

In the Gospel for his feast, we hear today of his birth and circumcision and also his mysterious naming. His father Zechariah had been struck dumb for not believing the Archangel Gabriel’s announcement that he and his wife in their old age would conceive this child that would be especially consecrated to God. Zechariah’s tongue is loosened about verifying that the child’s name was John.

Today, we are to identify with this crowd of people huddled around Zechariah who were amazed and took these events to heart, contemplating just happened. The mute man, who was unbelieving, was able to speak again, in a sense, because he learned his listen, he finally allowed the good news to sink in. He verified the Gospel in his heart and with his life, and that changed him, it healed him.

So too with us, our muteness in preaching the Gospel, our fear of witnessing, can be healed, if we let it, if we seek to grow in faith. In a sense, to grow in faith is to grow in one’s willingness to witness to the working of God in one’s life.

Why is John the Baptist great? Because unlike his father, John bursts on to the scene preaching God’s word. He’s leaping for joy in his mother’s womb in response to Jesus. And that joy and conviction over the priority of faith is not hindered by fear of what others think of him. He’s willing to don camel’s hair and eat locusts in order to get people’s attention. He understands the importance of decreasing his ego, that Christ may increase in his life and in the world.

May the glorious events of the birth of John, loosen our lips, instill our hearts with joy, increase our faith and our willingness, like him, to preach the saving message of Christ, for the glory of God and salvation of souls. 

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That the Holy Spirit may guide the selection of a new bishop for Cleveland, that he may be a man of  wisdom, of deep Christian faith, hope, and love.

For the protection of the unborn, and that people of goodwill will work together to enshrine the protection of the unborn in law and in the hearts of all.

That our fears of witnessing to the Gospel may be replaced with conviction and Christian joy.
For the sick and afflicted, the homebound, those in nursing homes and hospitals, for victims of natural disaster,  those who suffer from war, violence, and terrorism, all victims of abuse, especially children, for the mentally ill, those with addictions, and the imprisoned, for the comfort of the dying and the consolation of their families.

For the deceased members of our families, friends, and parish and all the poor souls in purgatory, for deceased priests and religious, and for those who have fought and died for our freedom, for the repose of the soul of Dennis Dentzer, for whom this mass is offered.

Incline your merciful ear to our prayers, we ask, O Lord, and listen in kindness to the supplications of those who call on you. Through Christ our Lord.

December 23 2019 - Pointing to Christ

Two days before Christmas, the Church reads to us from the prophet Malachi.  Malachi was the last of the Old Testament Prophets, appearing on the scene 300 years after the prophet Isaiah, but still about 400 years before the birth of Christ. 

Malachi prophecies about the events right before the coming of the Messiah. One like Elijah would come as a precursor to the Messiah, and he would help the people prepare for the Messiah, as we heard, “by turning the hearts of the fathers to their children, and the hearts of the children to their fathers.”

What does that mean? It means we best prepare for the Messiah by turning away from what is trivial, superficial, and spiritually harmful, to what is most important to the life of the soul.

In the Gospel, we read of the naming of Jesus’ precursor, John the Baptist, who certainly in the spirit of Elijah preaches repentance—metanoia—which literally means turning—turning one’s heart away from the trivial and sinful, and turning it back to God.

Elijah was not what we call a “literary prophet” like Isaiah, Elijah did not write anything down, there is no old testament book of the prophet Elijah. Rather, Elijah was an action prophet, his prophetic actions pointed people to God. So, too with John the Baptist. The Baptist never wrote anything down. Rather, his actions were prophetic. He went to the desert to preach, he baptized people, he wore strange clothes and ate strange food—even his vesture and his diet pointed people to God.

So, too with us, Christians are to be people of action; our actions, our lives are to point others to God. Certainly, we point people to God by following the precepts of our faith: attending mass, engaging in devotional prayers, engaging in works of charity, turning away from the non-essentials in order to focus on Christ.

The final O Antiphon sings of the Messiah as Emmanuel, King and Law-giver, the awaited Savior of the nations. In our upcoming Christmas celebrations may we remain turned toward Christ in all things, and in the Spirit of Elijah and John the Baptist, by our words, our actions, attitudes and efforts, help others do the same, for the glory of God and salvation of souls.

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May Christ, the Wisdom which comes from the mouth of God, guide us in knowledge and love.
May Christ, leader of the House of Israel, bring deliverance to all of the oppressed.
May Christ, the Root of Jesse, come to the aid of nations and leaders of nations to walk in the ways of peace.
May Christ, Key of David, free all those captive to sin.
May Christ, the Morning Star, enlighten those who dwell in the shadow of death.
May Christ, King of the Nations, reconcile all divisions caused by sin.
May Christ, Emmanuel, God with us, bring comfort to all those who mourn.
Almighty ever-living God, who brings salvation to all and desire that no one should perish, hear the prayers of your people and grant that the course of our world may be directed by your peaceful rule and your Church rejoice in tranquility and devotion. Through Christ our Lord.

June 24 2019 - Nativity of John the Baptist

When the Church celebrates the feast day of a saint, we are usually celebrating the day of the saint’s death. For example the feast of Aloysius Ganzaga last week was on June 21, because he went to his eternal reward on June 21, 1591. 

But the Church also celebrates the days of birth of three persons:  Jesus, of course, on the feast we call Christmas; the Blessed Virgin Mary, on September 8th, nine months after the feast of her Immaculate Conception; and Saint John the Baptist.  In fact, Byzantine Catholics celebrate the conception of John the Baptist nine months prior to today’s feast, on September 24, which they call, The feast of the Conception of the Precursor.

John has always had a place of very high esteem in the Church, this feast of his birth dates all the way back to the 4th century. John was praised by the Lord himself, when he said, “I tell you, among those born of women, no one is greater than John”. 

John is honored, certainly for the great role he played in salvation history. His was the lone voice in the wilderness pointing others to Christ. When we take John as a Patron, he will always help us to point others to Christ, even when it feels like we are a lone voice.

John is also honored because of his personal holiness. In a sense, he was a saint already in the womb of his mother. He was able to detect the presence of the Lord, he lept for joy, still in the womb of his mother Elizabeth. And John gives us the key to holiness in his utterance, “I must decrease so that Christ may increase”. As Christians, followers of Christ the Lord, it is our hope that others may see Christ in us. That our egos, our sins, our willfulness might not obscure the presence of Jesus Christ in us. His teachings, his Spirit, His heart, his concern for doing the will of the heavenly Father, his willingness to embrace the cross, should be evident to those we meet. It is our hope that others encounter Christ in us, and this becomes possible when we decrease all that is not Christ and of Christ, as John the Baptist did.

Though, he was born holy, John the Baptist’s holiness shines forth in his life, his willingness to preach the truth, even when that brought the wrath of those in power upon him, his purity, his attentiveness and devotion to the Holy Will of God. May John help us to decrease, that Christ may increase in us and in the world, for the glory of God and salvation of souls.

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That Pope Francis and all the clergy may witness to the truth of the Gospel faithfully, courageously, and compassionately.

For the protection of the unborn, and that people of goodwill will work together to enshrine the protection of the unborn in law and in the hearts of all.

For the conversion of those who do not believe in God, for Catholics who have left the Church, those guilty of heresy or schism, and for a return to the sacraments of those who have fallen into serious sin.

For the sick and afflicted, the homebound, those in nursing homes and hospitals, for victims of natural disaster,  those who suffer from war, violence, and terrorism, all victims of abuse, especially children, for the mentally ill, those with addictions, and the imprisoned, for those who struggle to live the call of Christian chastity, for the comfort of the dying and the consolation of their families.

For the deceased members of our families, friends, and parish and all the poor souls in purgatory, for deceased priests and religious, and for those who have fought and died for our freedom, for the repose of the soul of St. Joseph Father Larry Tosco, and for N. for whom this mass is offered.

Incline your merciful ear to our prayers, we ask, O Lord, and listen in kindness to the supplications of those who call on you. Through Christ our Lord.

4th Week in OT 2019 - Friday - Unafraid to preach the Truth

If you were reading Mark’s Gospel from beginning to end, this long passage of John the Baptist’s martyrdom comes as an unexpected interlude.  In the previous verses, Jesus sends out the Twelve apostles on a special mission to teach and cure the sick and drive out demons.  But before their return, St. Mark relates this lengthy account of the execution of John the Baptist.

St. Mark uses the life and arrest and death of John the Baptist to foreshadow what will happen to Jesus. Jesus will be arrested and condemned to death on pretty shady charges built on lies and selfishness. But the fate of John the Baptist is also a lesson for all of us. For taking up the Gospel mission, we too might have to face the hostility of the world.

Why did Herodias want John dead? She harbored a grudge against him and wanted to kill him because he dared to call out their public and flagrant sin. John had incurred the wrath of the ruling family by publicly denouncing their adulterous conduct. And this leads to another question: why did John bother with the Herods?

Likely John knew that the behavior of political leaders has a powerful impact on the moral environment of the country at large. The Herodian scandal had the potential of normalizing adultery, dulling the consciences of the people and putting obstacles in their hearts rather than preparing the way for the Lord.  And like the prophets of old, John was willing to risk his life for the message of God.

St. Mark connects the fate of John with the sending out of the apostles. For the apostles have the mission of calling sinful humanity to conversion. And Mark makes no secret that Christians will likely garner the hatred of the world for preaching the Gospel. St. Mark later records this sentiment from the lips of Jesus himself who says, “You will be hated by all because of my name.”

In a world of spineless jellyfish afraid to preach the Gospel, be a John the Baptist. For the Lord also said, “there is no one born of woman” greater than he. May we each be faithful to the Gospel commission to preach the Gospel fully and with courage for the glory of God and salvation of souls.
 
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That the bishops of the Church will act as true prophets through their faithful teaching, their courageous witness, and their self-sacrificing love. We pray to the Lord.
That government leaders around the world may carry out their duties with justice, honesty, and respect for freedom and the dignity of human life.  We pray to the Lord.
For the grace to love the Lord our God with all our heart, soul, mind, and strength, to love our neighbors and enemies and those who persecute us, and to share the truth of the Gospel with all.  We pray to the Lord.
For all those who share in the sufferings of Christ—the sick, the sorrowful, and those who are afflicted or burdened in any way, especially those effected by hurricanes and storms.  We pray to the Lord.
For the deceased members of our families, friends, and parish, for the deceased clergy and religious of the diocese of Cleveland, for the poor souls in purgatory, and for those who have fought and died for our freedom. We pray to the Lord.
O God, who know that our life in this present age is subject to suffering and need, hear the prayers of those who cry to you and receive the prayers of those who believe in you. Through Christ our Lord.

June 24 2018 - The Nativity of John the Baptist - Birthdays, Bridges, and Boldness

When the Church celebrates the feast day of a saint, we are usually celebrating the day of the saint’s death. For example the feast of Aloysius Ganzaga earlier this week was on June 21, because June 21 is the anniversary of the saint’s death: June 21, 1591. 

But the Church also celebrates the birthdays of three people:  Jesus, of course, on the feast we call Christmas; the Blessed Virgin Mary, on September 8th, and today, June 24, the birthday of Saint John the Baptist. 

3 months ago, on the feast of the Annunciation, March 25, as the Christ child became incarnate in the womb of the Virgin Mary, the Archangel Gabriel announced that Elizabeth, who had been barren throughout her long life, had through the grace of God become pregnant, six months prior. After the annunciation, Mary would travel in haste to the hill country to assist Elizabeth in her pregnancy, and we know the story well, of John the Baptist leaping for joy in his mother’s womb as Mary approached.

In some traditions, John’s conception is celebrated nine months prior to today. Just as Mary’s conception, the Immaculate Conception is celebrated nine months prior to her birthday and Jesus’ conception, March 25, is celebrated nine months prior to his birthday on Christmas.

The Church’s commemoration of John’s birth is ancient--today’s solemnity going all the way back to the 4th century.  But the exaltation of the birth of John goes back even farther, to the lips of Jesus himself, who says “I tell you, among those born of women, no one is greater than John.” We exalt John’s birth because Our Lord exalted John’s birth.

The Virgin Mary too, must have rejoiced over John’s birth. We know that Mary was present for the delivery of John. She was there to care for Elizabeth, to help her, in her old age, to safely deliver John, and she no doubt rejoiced with Elizabeth and Zechariah over the baptist’s birth.

So it’s good for us to celebrate as well, so good, in fact, that as you’ve noticed, if this feast day falls on a Sunday, it replaces our normally scheduled Ordinary Time Sunday mass—Ordinary Time Green is replaced by Festive White (and gold, perhaps).

St. Augustine wrote to the Church about this feast in the 5th century. He wrote: “The Church observes the birth of John as a hallowed event. We have no such commemoration (for anyone else besides Mary and Jesus)…so, it’s significant that we celebrate the birthday…of John. This day cannot be passed by. And even if my explanation does not match the dignity of the feast, you may still meditate on it with great depth and profit.” So even if my homily today is less than exceptional, each of us should still meditate on its lessons.

John’s great vocation was to point to Jesus, to proclaim, “Behold the Lamb of God.” Augustine, saw John pointing to Jesus even in the events surrounding his birth. Listen to how Augustine holds the birth of John and the birth of Jesus side-by-side: “John is born of a woman too old for childbirth; Christ was born of a youthful virgin. The news of John’s birth was met with incredulity, and his father was struck dumb. Christ’s birth was believed (by Mary, by shepherds, by the magi…and was heralded by angels.)…John was a voice that lasted only for a time; Christ, the Word in the beginning, is eternal.”

Christians have a special devotion to John, as I mentioned because Jesus himself exalted John, but also because John reminds us of our Christian vocation to point to Jesus with our lives. So I’d like to draw out a few short lessons for us to ponder.

Elizabeth conceived John after a long period, a lifetime, of barrenness. Most everyone thought, as Augustine mentioned, she was “too old” for childbirth. But this miraculous event reminds us we are never too old for God to bring new life in us. Biological age is not a hindrance to the work of God. God is not limited by our old age, only by our refusal to allow Him to work, our failure to cooperate with His grace. Places of barrenness, spiritual barrenness, creative barrenness, even physical barrenness can be brought to life when they are brought to God. So today’s feast reminds us that God always wants to work in the barren parts, to bring about new life for his purposes.

Secondly, as we heard in today’s Gospel there was some incredulity concerning John’s birth, even John’s father, Zechariah was slow to believe. But John the Baptist was proof that God was still at work, his plan, his promises were coming to fulfillment.

We live in a time of incredulity. Our culture treats the Holy Scriptures, the commandments, our Catholic faith as irrelevant, outdated, and therefore valueless.

But just as John was proof that God was at work, so we need to be proof.  John was bridge who helped people cross from unbelief to belief. So, too, we must become bridges to help people cross from unbelief in God to communion with Him. We do this by sharing our faith generously and clearly.

We do well to share the stories and lessons of our faith with children and grandchildren, share with them what being Catholic means, why it’s important. Don’t be afraid to share with them the stories of the scriptures and the saints. Tell them about Padre Pio, tell them about Francis of Assisi, tell them about Mother Theresa and Theresa of the Child Jesus. Teach them about the foolishness of Adam and Eve in the garden and to be weary of the cunning serpent who makes false and empty promises. Don’t be struck dumb and silent like Zechariah, but loosen your tongues.

John, we know grows up to be the great herald of Christ, crowds were coming to him to be baptized. But he didn’t start surrounded by crowds of people all flocking to listen to him. He started off in the wilderness. A solitary voice crying out in the wilderness. So we too mustn’t be afraid to proclaim Christ when it seems like no one is listening. If John can proclaim Christ in the wilderness, then so can we.

Finally, John’s personal motto must become our own. He says, I must decrease, that Christ may increase. Each of us have a lot of decreasing to do, and I’m not simply talking about waistlines. Our egos need to decrease, our notions of self-importance and entitlement, our ambitions for doing our own will over doing the will of God. Lot’s of decreasing to do.

Today let us renew our faith in the ability of God to bring new life to barren places and barren souls, let us commit to being bridges for the incredulous to come to believe in Christ even when it seems like we are proclaiming Christ in a wilderness or to a brick wall, and let us commit to the penance and prayer that will enable our egos to decrease that the goodness of Christ and the presence of Christ may increase in us and in the world, for the glory of God and salvation of souls.

2nd Sunday of Advent 2017 - The Advent Desert of Anticipation, Preparation, Humility, and Repentance

John the Baptist is certainly one of the VIPs—the Very Important Persons—of the Advent season featuring prominently in our Advent scripture reading. The Gospel of Mark begins with the very strange account of this wild man, dressed in camel hair, eating locusts and wild honey, out in the middle of the desert.

What is more puzzling? His diet and his wardrobe or the fact that people were coming from all over the country to hear him preach in the middle of the scorching desert? People poured out in multitudes, walked for miles to hear John preach. Today, you couldn’t pay some people to make this journey.

And, he wasn’t telling people how to get rich. He wasn’t performing stand-up comedy. He wasn’t their favorite football player. He wasn’t out there performing miracles or magic tricks. So, why were they out there? Why were they listening to him, and why were they allowing him to plunge them into the Jordan river?

The Jewish people of Jesus’ day lived in deep longing and anticipation of the Messiah foretold by the prophets. The Messiah would be the one to usher in the age of comfort and peace like that foretold in the first reading today from the prophet Isaiah. The age of suffering and woe would be at an end. The injustices suffered by God’s people would be righted. The separation from God due to sin would be closed. God’s people would be gathered up into the mighty arms of God and held close to his heart forever.

This is what we all long for: the sadness and restlessness of the human condition, the violence and suffering to come to an end.

And John the Baptist appearing out in the desert preaching the words of Isaiah, dressed like the prophet Elijah, who also wore a garment of camel hair, meant the time had come, the Messiah was near at hand. The anticipation they felt must have been incredible. To prepare for the iminent arrival of the Messiah, John told them to repent of their sins and to be baptized as a sign of repentnence.
And this is why John the Baptist is the VIP of Advent. John perfectly symbolizes—or, better, lives and expresses—the key themes of this season: anticipation, preparation, humility, and repentance.
Notice, how during the Advent season, the music played and sung here in church is quite different from the music you hear in Starbucks and the stores. We aren’t playing Christmas music yet, because it’s not yet Christmas. We still have a lot of preparation to do. If by the time you get to Christmas and you are already sick of Christmas, you didn’t do Advent right.

The world, our culture, is certainly not doing Advent right. Advertisers bombard us with Santas and Snowmen, not because they are interested in helping us celebrate the Advent of Christ, but mostly because they want to sell us candy cane flavored lattes and urge us to max out credit cards on christmas presents. But, this is not what Advent is for. And with all that bombardment, we can be quite sick of it all by later December.

Rather, Advent is to help us become like the people of the Gospel today who undertake the arduous venture out into the desert to prepare rightly for the coming of the promised Messiah. The scriptures, the prayers, the solemnity of Advent compel us to get our lives in order, our priorities straight.
As I’ve said before, the Advent season is a perfect time for making a good confession. Why? Because Confession helps us identify the crooked ways of our life that need to be made straight; it helps us to identify the ways our mountainous egos need to be made low. It helps us to recognize the ways “we must decrease, that Christ may increase” in the words of the Baptist. Confession helps us repent of the ways we have have misused our time, talent, and treasure for our own selfish ends.

For what did Paul say in the second reading today?  The Lord “is patient with you, not wishing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance.” If I’m okay and you are okay, no need of a savior, then the impact of Christmas on us will be lost. We won’t appreciate Jesus’ arrival at Christmas unless we feel in our bones how much we need him. And Sacramental Confession helps us to do just that.

After confessing our sins, we are compelled to reach out to those we’ve hurt, the poor who we’ve ignored; to show some sign of our repentance through acts of goodness and charity. Advent is the perfect time to make amends and to reach out in care to families or individuals going through tough times.

That’s the wisdom of this season. It’s the wisdom of John the Baptist: to focus on Christ, his mercy and his love.

As we prayed in our collect today, may no earthly undertaking hinder us who set out in haste to meet the Lord, but may our learning of heavenly wisdom gain us admittance to his company.  May we make haste into the Advent desert of anticipation, preparation, humility, and repentence, unhindered by all of the earthly distractions confronting us this season. May we learn the heavenly wisdom of the prophets and saints, like John the Baptist, that we may join in the joyful company of Christ this Christmas, for the glory of God and salvation of souls.

Homily: Feb 3 2017 - St. Blaise - Deliverance from diseases of the throat

“Through the intercession of St. Blaise, Bishop and Martyr, may the Lord deliver us from every disease of the throat and every other illness”. The throat is of particular importance to the Christian, isn’t it? It is by the use of our throats we lift up verbal words of praise and honor to God, we sing sweet hymns of praise, we offer cries of repentance. It is by use of the throat that we are faithful to the Lord’s command to proclaim his Gospel of salvation and teach the nations in the ways of Christian discipleship. It is by use of our throats that we utter those most important phrases in any language, “thank you”, “I’m sorry”, “I love you”.

So it is good to ask the intercession of St. Blaise for the deliverance of our throats from physical afflictions. So that we can use our throats in the ways God intends.

For we know all too well, how our throats can be misused, don’t we? We can use our throats to utter phrases like “I hate you”, “I’ll never forgive you”. We can use our words to hurt, to blame, to curse, to, to betray, to spread rumors, to humiliate, to bully.

More important than physical healing then, is the importance of turning to God’s grace, and to the intercession of God’s saints to deliver us from spiritual disease, the tendency to sin, to misuse the things God has given us.

In the Gospel we heard how John used his voice to preach the Word of God, he bore witness to the moral truth of God’s law. For this he was hated and martyred, Yet, Jesus himself pointed to the example of John, “There is no one greater than John the Baptist” he said, for John labored and died proclaiming the truth that comes from God.

May each of us aspire to such greatness, such fidelity, and such right use of our faculties, for the glory of God and salvation of souls.

Homily: Dec 23 2016 - To turn hearts toward the other

Two days before Christmas, the Church reads to us from the prophet Malachi.  Malachi was the last of the Old Testament Prophets, appearing on the scene 300 years after the prophet Isaiah, but still about 400 years before the birth of Christ. 

Malachi prophecies about the events right before the coming of the Messiah, one, like Elijah would come, as a precursor to the Messiah.

And in the Gospel we heard recounted the birth and circumcision of John who would be that precursor, forerunner to Christ. John the Baptist preached the call to repentance, metanoia, a change of heart, as a way of preparing for Christ, just as Malachi had prophesied. He would help the people prepare for the Messiah, as we heard, by turning the hearts of the fathers to their children, and the hearts of the children to their fathers.”

What does that mean? It means we best prepare for the Messiah by turning away from what is trivial, superficial, and spiritually harmful, to what is most important to the life of the soul.

Malachi speaks of this mutual concern between parents and children. That Christian parents will concern themselves with what is most important for their children, and children will concern themselves with what is most important for their parents. They will each concern themselves with giving the greatest good to each other, the gift of God. Parents will begin to ask themselves, “how can I most bring God to my kids” and kids will ask themselves, “how can I most be a sign of the presence of God for my parents, how can I help them to be as holy as God made them to be”

There is a challenge posed to us just two days before our celebration of the Messiah’s birth. To refine and purify, as Malachi would say, our Christmas celebrations: to not get so wrapped up in wrapping paper, that we miss what is most important of this season. At Christmas, we celebrate one who is born into straw poverty, to help us learn how to love with pure Christ-like love; with joy found, not in material things, but in the pure gift that comes from God.

May these final days bring Metanoia, change of mind and heart for all of us, that turned to Him with hearts purified and refined of worldliness, we may rejoice at his saving birth for the glory of God and salvation of souls.

Homily: Friday - 3rd Week of Advent 2016 - "A burning and shining lamp"

Tomorrow, December 17, begins what is often called “Late Advent” or “Deep Advent”; the Scripture readings and orations begin to take on slightly different tones and themes. Where the first part of Advent proclaims joyfully that the Christ is coming, this last part of Advent begins to focus on who is coming, the identity of the Christ child.

The O Antiphons of “Late Advent”, for example, each ascribe Old Testament names and titles to the one who is born on Christmas Day. Jesus is the fulfillment of all of those Old Testament prophesies: He is the Rod of Jesse, He is the Key of David, He is the Rising Star from the East, He is Adonai in the Flesh, He is Emmanuel—God With Us. These ancient prayers of the Church show how the Old Testament pointed forward to Jesus; how God prepared the human race for His own coming in the flesh.

For nearly a week, we have heard daily of a biblical figure who pointed to Jesus: John the Baptist. John the Baptist is a lot like those O Antiphons: he dresses and acts and speaks like a prophet from the Old Testament, while testifying, pointing directly to the promised One: he helps Israel transition from the shadows of prophecy to the reality of God-in-the-flesh.

In the Gospel today, Jesus explained how “John testified to the truth.” John bore witness that Jesus was “The Lamb of God”, “the Son of God”, the one anointed with the Holy Spirit. Because John witnessed to the truth Jesus called him “a burning and shining lamp”. Could he say the same about us?

Isaiah gives us wonderful instructions for becoming burning lamps for Christ: “observe what is right, do what is just”. Sometimes I think we underestimate the power of Christian Witness. Jesus himself teaches us to set good example for others. He says, “Thus let your light shine before men, so that they may see your good works and they should glorify your Father in the heavens.”

Observing what is right, doing what is just, performing good deeds, engaging in acts of mercy, these works are not for the purpose of gaining honor for ourselves, but to point to the one who has set us on our way. If the Holy Year of Mercy taught us anything, it is that the works of mercy are to be a consistent part of our normal Christian life. And by our works of mercy we witness to the One who IS Mercy.

As the light of the sun is seen less and less during these late December days, let us shine forth with the light of the Son of God by praying a little harder, giving a little more, striving to walk in the ways of righteousness and justice for the glory of God and salvation of souls.

Homily: 3rd Sunday of Advent 2016 - Preparing for True Christmas Joy

The third Sunday of Advent is traditionally called Gaudete Sunday – Gaudete is Latin for rejoice – during this holy season we look forward in joy for the coming of our savior.

Even though the winter weather is a bit of a downer, and even though consumerism permeates the season; the decorations, images, and music still serve as excellent reminders of the true source of joy of the season—we celebrate Christ.

For example, the evergreen wreaths and Christmas trees remind us of the undying love of God, always green and fresh, even in the middle of darkest, coldest winter. That God loves us, even in the dark times of our life, fills us with joy.

The lights and glittering bulbs remind us that Christ's light came to conquer the darkness of sin and ignorance, and that more beautiful than the most elaborate Christmas light display is the human soul which shines with the light of Christ.

The symbol serving as the greatest reminder are the manger scenes. Many of you have started to assemble your manger scenes in your homes or even your yards: a wonderful way of reminding the surrounding neighborhood of the sacred event we prepare for this season.

In many places Catholics wait until the feast of the Immaculate Conception to erect their manger scenes, and many have the custom of not laying the figure of the baby Jesus in the manger until Christmas eve. Whatever your custom, our manger scenes remind us that God truly became one of us, born a babe in Bethlehem’s plain, son of God and son of Mary, born to save us from our sins.
And this is the cause of our joy, that we are saved. He is the proof that we are not abandoned by God to the evil and violence and selfishness of the world. He is the proof that sin does not get the last word, that God does come to deliver us, that sin isn’t allowed to reign in us; that God does come to fill us with light and joy and peace.

Many of our neighbors, colleagues, and family members, unfortunately have forgotten this truth; they get wrapped up in the superficial, they can’t see who the lights, the trees, the decorations, the presents, point to.

In the Gospel, we heard of a man whose entire life was focused on pointing to Christ. John the Baptist had been imprisoned for preaching about Jesus. He wasn’t a fool or a madman, he knew that preaching about Jesus had political repercussions. But he was a man of faith, who believed that preaching about Jesus Christ was worth dying for.

John knew that if you weren’t prepared for Jesus by turning away from sin, you might just miss him…just like so many in our culture do today.

News of John’s imprisonment spread to Jesus, and upon hearing John was facing imminent death, Jesus, as we heard in the Gospel, spoke to the crowds about John. Who did you go out to the desert to see? Jesus asked. Remember, John had drawn people out to the desert from miles around. This was no small feat. Many traveled great distances; the terrain was difficult; provisions had to be hauled along; and for most, the trip home, was a grueling uphill climb out of the Jordan valley.

What brought you? To see a reed swayed by the wind? Jesus asked. In other words, did you go out to see a people pleaser, to listen to someone who is easily swayed by public opinion and who relays back to the public only what they want to hear? Did you come out to the desert simply to be entertained? Similarly, why did you come to church today? Simply, to be entertained? I think not. There are certainly more entertaining venues than this.

Jesus, then dug a little deeper: did you go out to the desert just to see someone dressed in fine clothing? Some people are very attracted by wealth, celebrity. They dream about becoming best friends with Hollywood movie stars. John’s concern wasn’t about forming a cult of adoring fans.
Jesus, then revealed the real reason so many went to see John: they longed to hear the words of the prophet. Our deepest longing is for God, and John was sharing with them, how best to prepare for God. You want joy, you want peace, you want deliverance? Prepare your hearts for God.

When we come to Church a deep desire in us is fulfilled, whether we recognize that or not; a desire to give to God the worship we owe Him, the desire to open our minds and hearts to be formed by God, our souls to be nourished by God. This is why people were going out into the desert, this is the reason they went to so much effort and were attracted by this very strange preacher, who ate locusts and dressed in camel hair.

This Advent we recognize the need to focus more deeply on the message of John the Baptist; that if we truly desire to experience Christmas joy, we must prepare our hearts well, by repenting of our sins, by engaging in daily prayer and meditation and acts of mercy.

But also, we recognize that we are called to be like John, to call others to focus on what really matters. Perhaps it means putting up a manger scene in your yard or house for visitors to see; perhaps, you might invite a fallen away Catholic to our Advent penance service, to speak to them about the importance of living the faith and confessing their sins and going to mass.

John was willing to suffer for Jesus, to be imprisoned and even to be martyred. It may surprise you, and it’s somewhat of a paradox, but that willingness to suffer for Jesus is the key to deep Christian joy.

Rejoice, the Lord is close! Prepare your hearts well for his coming, for the glory of God and salvation of souls.

Homily: Thursday - 25th Week of OT 2016 - Vanity of Vanities

Early in Luke’s Gospel we hear how the Tetrarch Herod had John the Baptist executed. John had spoken the Word of God clearly: Herod’s marriage to his sister-in-law was illicit. John called Herod, as he had to so many, to repentance. But, instead of turning away from his sin, Herod killed John, hoping that the message would be buried with the messenger.

To Herod’s consternation, however, the message lived on—even more powerfully—in Jesus and his disciples. St. Luke tells us, “Herod was deeply perplexed” when he heard about Jesus preaching the same word as had John. Perhaps Herod did not understand how or why someone else would take up John’s mantle, so to speak, in proclaiming the call to repentance.

Jesus, we know appeared before Herod, after he is arrested. But, instead of learning from his experience, that God desires his conversion, Herod chose to be part of Jesus’ crucifixion. Imagine what Herod thought when news of Jesus’ resurrection reached him!

Sometimes, we, like Herod, don’t want to hear the Word of God. The world certainly does not want to hear the Word of God. God’s word challenges us, it calls out our illicit behaviors, it calls us to repentance, and sometimes we don’t want to give up our sins. So we run away from the Gospel. The world seeks to have the Gospel silenced. 

Christianity is labeled as bigoted, intolerant of certain lifestyles. Think of the great hostility the Church faces in calling for the protection of the unborn and end to abortion! Abortion and contraception enable illicit sex on demand. And so the Church is hated because she teaches the Gospel of Life, even though the Gospel is the only road to heaven.

She is hated because, like Qoheleth in the reading from Ecclesiastes, she reminds us that all of our foolish, selfish, sinful pursuits, are “vanity of vanities”. Qoheleth, in his wisdom, looks back on all of his vain, earthly pursuits, and recognizes that they did not profit his soul.

St. Paul tells us, “put to death, the parts of you that are earthly”… put to death: “immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and the greed that is idolatry.” Why? Because these things, instead of giving us life, take it from us, instead of leading us to God, lead us away from Him.

God desires that we come to share in his very life. He want to make us like himself, full of generous self-giving and limitless charity, to glorify him in seeking and living out His will.

With the help of the Holy Spirit, may we continue to seek to put to death all of our vain pursuits, engage in only those endeavors which profit our souls, seeking the spiritual life God wants for each one of us, for the glory of God and salvation of souls.